Dental drills and anesthesia can be a source of discomfort for patients who require more than two or three fillings, often necessitating multiple appointments. Fortunately, air abrasion technology can help to reduce this burden by allowing for multiple fillings to be performed at once. This is because air abrasion only affects tooth decay and discoloration, leaving healthy enamel intact and reducing the risk of fractures or major damage to the teeth. Air abrasion devices use a stream of fine particles, such as aluminum oxide, to remove decayed or discolored areas of the tooth. This process is much less invasive than traditional dental drills, as it does not require anesthesia and is much less likely to cause damage to healthy enamel.
The development of bonded restorations in combination with air-abrasion dentistry has also enabled truly minimal dental intervention. Despite the many benefits of air abrasion devices, there are some risks associated with their use. For example, if the device is used incorrectly, it can cause damage to healthy enamel or even cause fractures in the teeth. Additionally, air abrasion devices are not suitable for all types of dental work. For example, they cannot be used to remove large amounts of decay or to prepare a tooth for a crown. In conclusion, air abrasion devices offer many advantages over traditional dental drills and anesthesia.
They are less invasive, reduce the risk of fractures or major damage to the teeth, and enable truly minimal dental intervention. However, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with their use and to ensure that they are used correctly.
